Simina PopaEmerging translator Portuguese into Romanian

'A translator is a collector of knowledge. An important part of the profession is the fact that it gives you information. You learn from all the different worlds your texts take you to.'

Simina Popa (1981) was born in Bucharest, Romania. She graduated from Portuguese Language and Culture Studies at the University of Bucharest, where she later returned for a Master in Translation Studies. Portuguese language has been a steady partner in her professional life. Simina is translating Portuguese language authors since 2007, mostly novels, but also theatre and short stories. She is a member of ARTLIT (the Romanian Association of Literary Translators), joining the efforts for improving the profession’s status in Romania and a freelance cultural events organizer when possible, looking to create useful debates between cultural professionals. Simina is also trying to continue the hard and essential work of the previous generation of Portuguese language translators, supporting and promoting Portuguese language authors to the Romanian publishers and public.

‘A translator is a collector of knowledge. An important part of the profession is the fact that it gives you information. You learn from all the different worlds your texts take you to. For instance, you may spend an entire month figuring out how a plane is made,’ says Simina Popa. ‘I once translated a Portuguese novel about rural life. Its author described in great detail how a field is cultivated, how certain trees grow and how best to hold a certain type of scythe. I didn’t even know if Romanian had words for some of these things. Since then I’ve been collecting articles on the most diverse range of topics. My computer is full of information about watches, architecture, submarines. Just to be on the safe side.’

Education​Bachelor in Portuguese and American Studies, University of Bucharest, 2004​Translation Studies at the University of Bucharest, focus language Portuguese